Anode-shield for vapor electric apparatus.



G. A. KRAUS & R. D. MAILEY.

ANODB SHIELD FOR VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

APYLIGATION FILED APE.5,1912.

Patented July 8, 1913.

witnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

, CHARLES A. KRLUS, 0F NEWTON HIGHLANDS, 1ND ROY D. MAILEY, OF LYNN,

MASSACHUSETTS.

ANODE SHIELD FOR VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1913.

Application flied April 5, 1912. Serial No. 688,613.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES. A. KRAUs I andRoY D. MAILEY, citizens of the United States, and residents,respectively, of Newton Highlands and Lynn, in the counties of Middlesexand Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Anode-Shields for Vapor Electric Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a. specification. v

Our invention consists in an improved shield for anodes of vaporelectric apparatus, and has for its object the prevention ofshort-circuit arcing, which too frequently has impaired the operationand damaged the structure of vapor electric apparatus.

The construction of anode shield which characterizes this invent-ion isthe result of trial and elimination of sundry other contrivances whichwere designed to meet the conditions supposed to be responsible forshort-circuit arcing but which failed to operate in the manner expected,and gave rise to the suspicion that the hypotheses concerningshort-circuit arcing and its causes were at fault. For instance, it hasbeen suggested that the phenomenon of arcing is due to the presence ofmercury on the anode surface,

and on this theory it seemed reasonable to screens in succession.Possibly the explanation of short-circuit arcing by reason of thepresence of mercury at the anode is correct, or at least correctlyaccounts for one cause among several, and it may be that wire meshscreens allow small bodies of mercury to pass from the cathode to theanode, although one would suppose that several such screens wouldprevent it.

\Vhile we do not deny the plausibility of such explanations ofshort-circuit arcing, neither do we assert or advance any theory of ourown; we believe the matter stillrests in doubt.

Ignoring hypothetical explanations, we have contrived and used an anodeshield which, under conditions which have proved the futility of otherforms of shield, adequately prevents short-circuit arcing even inapparatus of hi h ener -ca acit Why this form of shield is e ectiiie whdo not pretend to explain; that it is effective our tests havedemonstrated.

In the drawings hereto annexed which show examples of ourinvention,-Figure 1 is a vertical section of an anode and shield; Fig. 2is a bottom plan half view; Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modifiedarrangement; and Fig. 4 is a bottom plan half view of Fig. 3.

The anode is lettered A, its lead B. A box or inclosure C, with top E,preferably made of insulating material, such as porcelain or fusedsilica, is secured to and suspended from the lead B. This box forms aninclosure for the anode A. Should conduct.- ing material be used for thebox C, it should be insulated from the anode.

At the bottom of the box C two partitions, D and D, are provided. Thesemay be of metal. Apertures H are made in partition D, apertures H inpartition D. These apertures are non-registering, that is to say, theapertures H in partition D stand opposite the solid or unperforatedportions G of the partition D, and vice versa, the apertures H areblanked by solid portions G. As many such partitions as are desired maybe interposed below the anode A.

Another form is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, where the partition D has asingle large circular aperture H, and the partition 1) is joined to andsupported by the walls of the box C, by means of spider arms (1 so thatthe aperture H is annular around the central plate or partition D. Athird partition D has a central aperture H For the sake of maintaining aslow circulation of mercury vapor through the box C, small apertures Fare provided. Circulation of mercury vapor is considered desirable as avehicle to carry away gases emitted from metal parts.

As above stated, why the arrangement of a plurality of or multiplepartitions with staggered or non-registering apertures is effective toprevent short-circuit arcing where wire mesh screens are futile, we donot retend to explain, but merely state the act, andregard theimprovement as a discovery arrived at by purely empirical methods.

We claim:

1. The combination with the anode of a vapor electric apparatus, of abox inclosing registering openings.

2. The combination with the anode of a .vapor electric apparatus, of abox inclosing the anode, a plurality of partitions at that end of thebox which lies toward the cathode, said partitions perforated withnonregistering openings and said box provided 10 with upper aperturesfor vapor circulation.

Signed by us at Boston, Massachusetts,

this 18th day of March 1912.

CHARLES A. KRAUS. ROY D, MAILEY. \Vitnesses:

ODIN ROBERTS, CHARLES D. Woommmzm

